Avidyne Combines ADS-B and Active-Surveillance Traffic on Three New 'TAS-A Series' Models

SUN N’ FUN 2013 – Lakeland, Florida – April 9, 2013– Avidyne Corporation, a leading provider of integrated avionics and safety systems for general aviation aircraft, today announced that they are accepting orders for their TAS605A, TAS615A and TAS620A (TAS-A Series) Traffic Advisory Systems with Automatic Dependent Surveillance-Broadcast In (ADS-B IN) capability. The TAS-A systems feature Avidyne’s exclusive VeriTAS™ technology, derived from their involvement in the Airborne Traffic Situational Awareness with Alerts (TSAA) program for ADS-B.

“Our TAS-A Series combines the precision and accuracy of ADS-B for traffic awareness, along with the active-surveillance autonomy of our TAS600 Series Traffic Advisory Systems to provide an even better and safer collision avoidance solution for general aviation pilots,” said Patrick Herguth, Avidyne’s Chief Operating Officer.

“TAS-A with VeriTAS™ seamlessly correlates and accurately presents to the pilot all of the active and passive traffic information received, while providing much more precise alerting, without the nuisance alerts associated with legacy TAS and TCAS systems,” Herguth added.

“VeriTAS™ technology, a direct result of our involvement in the FAA/TSAA program, provides significant safety benefits which we are incorporating into our ADS-B products, starting with the TAS-A series,” said Dan Schwinn, Avidyne’s President and CEO. “Through the TSAA program, we have defined the industry-standard algorithms for conflict detection, and also for reducing false alerts and nuisance alerts in high-traffic airport and approach environments for aircraft using ADS-B, and Avidyne will be first to implement these in our ADS-B products.”

TAS-A Series – Active + Passive Traffic

Avidyne’s TAS-A Series include the TAS605A, the TAS615A and the TAS620A. Each of these systems combines the benefits of active-surveillance and passive ADS-B traffic detection, along with Avidyne’s VeriTAS™ technology.

The TAS605A ($10,990) has 21nm ADS-B range and is recommended for mid-performance aircraft and helicopters. The TAS615A ($14,990) has 30nm ADS-B range and is recommended for high-performance aircraft and helicopters. The top-of the line TAS620A has 40nm ADS-B range and is priced at $20,990.

Avidyne will continue to offer the TAS600 active-surveillance traffic system for entry level, single-engine piston aircraft for $8,490.

Avidyne previously announced an AXP340 Mode S 1090MHz Extended Squitter Transponder that is designed to meet the U.S. and international mandates for ADS-B OUT.

The TAS-A Series and the AXP340 Mode S Transponder will be available later this year. Additional ADS-B related announcements will be forthcoming from Avidyne.

About VeriTAS™

‘Veritas’ is the Latin word for ‘Truth.’In terms of traffic systems, Avidyne’s VeriTAS™ technology delivers the true traffic picture for pilots. VeriTAS™ correlates all the traffic information—derived from the active surveillance of nearby transponder-equipped aircraft, along with the direct reception of position reports from participating ADS-B aircraft, as well as the data from ground-based re-broadcast (ADS-R and TIS-B) targets—to present the most accurate depiction of potentially conflicting aircraft. VeriTAS™ also provides advanced collision avoidance and alerting algorithms for more precise display of traffic and more accurate alerting, without the nuisance alerts associated with legacy TAS and TCAS systems. VeriTAS™ will permit reinforced alerts and will issue 2nd alerts when deemed appropriate, while eliminating alerts on ground or of ground targets while approaching airport.

About TSAA

The Airborne Traffic Situational Awareness with Alerts (TSAA) development program was launched in 2011 to address the fact that the current minimum operational performance standards (MOPS) for ADS-B define traffic detection protocols and basic display symbology, but do not include collision detection and alerting standards.

Avidyne has worked closely over the past three years with the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) on the $4 million Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) - funded TSAA program.

The program started with a comprehensive two year study on midair collisions. Avidyne has developed dual-link ADS-B receivers that are designed to listen to both 1090MHz and 978MHz ADS-B frequencies, and are capable of handling up to 400 targets at once.

A comprehensive flight test program was designed to ensure real-world operation of the ADS-B alerting system. Flight test plans include multiple scenarios across the country with general aviation aircraft, high performance business jets, and helicopters.

The final results of the TSAA program will ultimately affect the Minimum Operational Performance Standards for Aircraft Surveillance Applications described in RTCA System DO-317, and a revision to TSO-C195.

New MOPS will be defined in the second half of 2013 and the new Technical Standard Order (TSO) is expected to be published and available for all manufacturers soon after.

About Avidyne Corporation (www.avidyne.com) Avidyne’s continuing leadership in innovation and its Flying Made Simple™ system design make flying safer, more accessible and more enjoyable for pilots and their passengers. The company offers a full line of panel-mounted avionics including their new IFD540 and IFD440 FMS/GPS/NAV/COM, AMX240 audio panel, AXP340 Mode S Transponder, and DFC90 digital flight control systems. Avidyne’s product line also includes the industry-leading Entegra Release 9 integrated flight deck with DFC100 digital flight control system, datalink-capable EX600 multi-function displays, the dual-antenna TAS600 series of active traffic advisory systems with ADS-B, the MLX770 world-wide datalink transceiver, and the TWX670 Tactical Weather Detection system. Headquartered in Lincoln, MA, the company has facilities in Columbus, OH, Melbourne, FL, and Boulder, CO.